ABOUT FRIENDS OF O'AHU NWRC

MISSION

The Friends of O`ahu National Wildlife Refuges (FONWR) is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation, restoration and protection of the wildlife, plants and cultural resources of the island O`ahu and Hawai'i for future generations. We achieve our mission through education, outreach, fundraising and facilitation of volunteer opportunities for the community, promoting public awareness of these vital habitats.

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PURPOSE

FONWR is organized to foster awareness and understanding, enjoyment and conservation of the natural and cultural habitats in which are established O`ahu National Wildlife Refuges, including, without limitation to raise funds to help support, protect, preserve and restore these habitats, including, when appropriate, the purposes, goals and mission of the O`ahu National Wildlife Refuges.

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VISION

FONWRs vision is the restoration, conservation and preservation for all generations of the wildlife, plants and cultural resources of the Habitat's in which the O'ahu National Wildlife Refuges are located.

VALUES

• Education: We believe that education is the key to conservation. We provide educational programs and resources to the public to help them learn about wildlife refuges and the importance of conservation.

• Advocacy: We advocate for the protection of wildlife refuges at the local, state, and federal levels. We work with elected officials and other stakeholders to ensure that the refuges are protected from development and other threats.

• Volunteerism: We believe that volunteerism is essential to conservation. We provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved in the conservation of wildlife refuges.

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GOALS

• Increase public awareness of the wildlife refuges

• Protect the wildlife refuges from development and other threats

• Provide educational programs and resources to the public

• Encourage volunteerism in the conservation of the wildlife refuges

• Wo​rk closely with refuge leadership to ensure that objectives, needs, and vision are aligned

• Provide culturally sensitive public visitation opportunities that limit resource disturbance, both on and off-refuge

• Develop and manage a robust and active cadre of community volunteers to assist refuge staff in bridging personnel capacity gaps

• Raise and contribute funds to maintain and expand refuge-based conservation initiatives

• Advocate in support of refuge interests, especially expanded and more stable funding and a more robust workforce

• Help to raise the complex’s local, state, and national profile by educating the public on the importance of the refuges and their conservation efforts

• Assist the complex in maintaining and expanding close trust-based relationships with O`ahu communities and conservation partners, bringing all interested stakeholders to the table

 

 

GET INVOLVED 

There are many ways to get involved with the Friends of O`ahu National Wildlife Refuges. You can:

• Donate to our organization

• Volunteer your time

• Attend our educational programs

• Contact your elected officials and let them know that you support the conservation of O`ahu's refuges

 

We hope you will join us in our mission to conserve and protect O`ahu's national wildlife refuges. Together, we can make a difference!